The teams exchanged leads through the first part of the opening set before UIW’s Chera Smith had a kill to give the Cardinals the lead for good 13-12, starting a 9-0 run which included five Zias errors.

Freshman Kennedi Catano’s ace gave the Zias a quick 1-0 lead in the second game, but UIW responded with nine of the next 10 points in a run that included aces from Elizabeth Soukup and Daniella Vidaurri. ENMU got within four points a couple of times before the Cardinals put it away.

Kills by Soukup, Smith and Grayson got the Cardinals off to a 3-0 lead in the third set. The Zias kept it close and took a pair of one-point leads before kills by Sarah Nordman and Herr put UIW ahead 20-18.

The Zias were still within 23-22 before Soukup and Grayson finished it off with kills.

ENMU returns to action on Tuesday at Greyhound Arena with a 7 p.m. conference match against Midwestern State.